Another update on my vine. I think it is possible that the cold weather might have killed most of it. I think we had one of the coldest (if not coldest) winter in a decade. I also noticed another grape vine in my neighborhood that had a few leaves like mine, but I saw it from distance, so I'm not sure. The new canes are still growing. However, I noticed something strange. Some of the new leaves look dried up with light green spots, sometimes with holes (probably caused by insects). See pictures. Not all of the leaves are like this, maybe 50-60%. Is it some sort of disease? Growth seems slow to me. Usually, when I apply Miracle Gro in May, it grows like crazy. I haven't yet applied it this year because I'd like to know if there's something with it.

Michelle: Sample the grapes this summer. If they suit your needs you can build a trellis this winter. Cut them back as much as needed to get the vines up on the trellis. They may need cutting back nearly to the ground. If so train the resulting strong shoots up the trellis. You can have grapes on the trellis next year if you can save some of this years growth to fruit next year. If you must remove all of this years growth you can still have grapes in 2014.

A friend bought these at Market Basket in Boston. They were labeled "red grapes," but they look different and are very crisp and crunchy. Does anyone know what type of grape this is? She wonders if they are some type of heirloom. Thank you.

We have had very good luck with grapes here in Gilbert. Ours are about 6 years along and growing on a 7 foot high clothesline-looking trellis across the back of our garden. This is the first year they are hanging down from the trellis(built two years ago) just the way we had hoped they would. They are so cool! The Thompson Seedless peaked around July 1st,while we were out of town, and the birds loved them pretty much into oblivion. Just this week, however, we are harvesting a great crop of Red Flames, and this year for a change they are big and sweet. I took about 20 pounds to work yesterday and everyone loved 'em. Our third variety is our favorite; White Concord Seedless. They are not so vigorous as the other two, but are the biggest and sweetest. The birds overly loved them, as well, but we got a couple of pounds in spite of the starlings, sparrows, thrashers, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, towhees, what have you. Our 8 vines are watered twice a week by bubblers to fill the 4 or 5 foot diameter wells, and they may get a little help from my neighbor's flood irrigation every two weeks. They are just incredibly lush this year, and it is amazing how much pruning they require. Every two weeks or so I have to cut back errant vines spreading in every direction, and in January we end up with a pickup load of prunings. Worth it though. Next year we may take on the difficult task of screening out the birds and maybe attempt making some wine. Our first year in Arizona we were astounded to see the heavily-laden Thompson Seedless vines at Sossaman and Higley roads. Picked 30+ pounds, invented a way to squeeze them, and made 5 gallons of wine. Couldn't drink it! Yuk!! Upon further research we found that the acid/sugar balance in table grapes is not suitable for wine-making. Wheww, they could say THAT again. We are not discouraged, however, and will try it again when we get a good enough crop. Throw 'em all in the bucket, I say, and let Mother Nature do her thing. Maybe adding some lemon juice will even out that danged a/s balance. Will let you know via Garden Web how it all turns out. Good luck with your plantings. We got our varieties at A & P nurseries here in Gilbert. Ask them about the proper nutrients, and I am sure they will be happy to part with some!